Tiny, Linux-friendly i.MX6 module steps up to 5GHz WiFi
Jun 14, 2017 — by Rick Lehrbaum 2,423 viewsVariscite announced a new “DART-6UL-5G” COM model, featuring an on-board WiFi/BT module with dual-band, 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac/a/b/g/n support.
Earlier this year Variscite launched a faster, 696MHz v1.2 upgrade to its 50 x 25mm DART-6UL computer-on-module, which includes the option of NXP’s power-efficient i.MX6 ULL SoC in addition to the i.MX6 UL. Now, the company has upped the ante with a DART-6UL-5G model that boasts an on-board, “certified” wireless module that integrates Bluetooth along with dual-band, 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac/a/b/g/n WiFi.


DART-6UL-5G (left) compared to the DART-6UL v1.2
(click images to enlarge)
The new DART-6UL-5G COM is pin and form-factor compatible with Variscite’s other DART-6UL models. It also implements the “exact same” features and interfaces, other than offering the upgraded WiFi capabilities, says Variscite.
Like the other modules in Variscite’s DART-6UL line, the DART-6UL-5G supports an optional -40 to 85°C industrial operating temperature temperature range, and is aimed at applications including Internet-of-Things, industrial, embedded, and portable/battery operated embedded devices.


DART-6UL-5G NAND (left) and eMMC flash models, showing the COM’s pair of carrier board interface connectors
(click images to enlarge)
Additional features and specifications listed for the DART-6UL-5G include:
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- Processor — NXP i.MX 6UL or 6ULL SoC (1x Cortex-A7 core @ up to 696MHz); 2D graphics accelerator
- Memory:
- RAM — 128MB to 512MB DDR3L
- Flash — up to 512MB NAND or 32GB eMMC (depends on model)
- Networking — 2x 100Mbps Ethernet controllers
- Wireless — certified WiFi/Bluetooth module with 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n dual-band 2.4GHz/5GHz
- Multimedia
- 24-bit parallel RGB up to WXGA
- Touchscreen controller
- Analog audio — line-in, line out, digital mic-in; headphone driver
- Digital audio — SSI (AUDMUX) with S/PDIF
- CPI (Parallel) camera
- Other I/O (2x 90-pin connectors) — SD/MMC, 2x USB 2.0 (1x host, 1x OTG), 8x UART (up to 3.6Mbps), 4x I2C, 4x SPI, 2x FlexCAN, GPIO, PWM, ADC
- Operating temperature — 0 to 70°C (commercial) or -40 to 85°C (industrial)
- Power — 3.3V
- Dimensions — 25 x 50 x 4mm
- Operating system — Debian or Yocto Project based Linux; Android
Variscite also offers a “VAR-6ULCustomBoard” carrier board for development based on the DART-6UL-5G or other DART-6UL series modules. An optional VAR-6UL development kit includes the the VAR-6UL series module, carrier board, 7-inch capacitive touch-panel, power and communication cables, documentation, and a design package. The carrier board is also offered separately from the dev kit, without the DART-6UL-5G module.

VAR-6ULCustomBoard carrier board
The 100 x 70 x 20mm VAR-6ULCustomBoard can be used as a development platform or as an end-product SBC.
Further information
The DART-6UL-5G module and associated development kits are available now, with module pricing starting at $24 per unit. More details may be found at Variscite’s DART-6UL series page.
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